Monthly Celebrations and Key Observances

Native American Heritage Month
This is a month dedicated to encouraging people to learn about the rich history, heritage, art, and traditions of indigenous Americans and to recognize and celebrate the vast achievements of the members of America’s many native tribes.

National Veterans and Military Families Awareness Month
On this month we recognize the commitment and contributions of our military service members and the families who support them.

Day of the Dead – November 2
This is a holiday widely observed in Mexico and which can be celebrated over multiple days. It is a celebratory occasion to pay respect to friends and family who have died.

Veterans Day – November 11
What was originally called Armistice Day and began as an occasion to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country’s service, Veterans Day is now a time to celebrate current and former members of the military. We honor them for their patriotism, service, and willingness to sacrifice for the common good.

Transgender Awareness Week – November 13 to 19
This observance raises visibility for the transgender community. Its goal is to address issues they face. As an ally, advocate for education about discrimination toward transgender individuals in society.

World Diabetes Day – November 14
Nearly a century after the discovery of insulin, this world health day raises challenges that those living with diabetes face daily. Today, we focus on advocating for access to diabetic care throughout the world.

International Day For Tolerance – November 16
Established by the UN  in 1996, this day promotes respect for the world’s cultures, languages, and religions. Today is a day to educate the general public about the need for universal human rights for all people.

Native Women’s Equal Pay Day – November 18
Today, we acknowledge that Native women must work nearly 23 months to earn the same salary as white, non-Hispanic men do in one year.  This wage disparity deserves public awareness to ensure the fight to close this gap continues until parity is achieved.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – November 25
Women’s rights activists have observed this as a day against gender-based violence since 1981, but it was made official by the UN in 2000. This year there is a call for 16 days of activism, from Nov 25 to Dec 10, to focus particularly on ending digital violence against women and girls, a specific type of violence that affects one in three women.

Thanksgiving Day/National Day of Mourning for Native Americans and their Allies – November 27 (4th Thursday of November)
While thanksgiving celebrations have occurred at various times throughout our nation’s history, Abraham Lincoln is the one who declared the fourth Thursday in November as a national holiday in 1863. Inspired by a feast and peace treaty in 1621 between the Wampanoag people and English Puritans in Massachusetts, many use the day to reflect on their blessings. For others, the day is one of mourning and protest. It is a time to acknowledge the betrayal of North American settlers and the genocide of Native Americans.

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People – November 29
Established by the United Nations General Assembly, it is a day to learn more about the complex situation of the Palestinian people amidst ongoing tension and political turmoil and to support them in their pursuit of self-determination and statehood.